The upright basses that Bill Black is pictured with as early as with
the Starlite Wranglers and as late as
their first appearance on the Louisiana Hayride
on October 16, 1954 appear to be Concert model Kays made between 1937
and 1940. The one on the right appears to have tuners which were made in
Czechoslovakia.

The Kay Musical Instrument Company produced a varied catalog of
musical instruments. A primary division produced basses and
cellos from 1937 to 1969, mainly intended for beginning students. The
vast majority of the instruments were produced at 1640 Walnut St. in
Chicago, Illinois. From 1964 to 1969 the factory was located in
Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

The basses and cellos were all manufactured with
plywood bodies and maple necks. The plywood on the front and
back was five ply and the rib sections were three ply. The
surface laminate for the top was spruce and the ribs and backs
supported a maple surface. All dimensions were monitored very
carefully to conform to the specs set forth by the Strings Teachers
Association. The earliest basses were of the Concert shape. The
upper bout had none pointed corners where the rib section joined.
These basses were the most popular and were produced throughout the
years of the Kay Musical Instrument Company. There were quite a
few variations of the Concert shape, however, the most popular
variation was the Orchestra model. Early Orchestra models came equipped
with unusual distinctive tuners sporting wooden knobs and keys,
stamped "Made in Czechoslovakia" or tuners manufactured
by Kluson. During and after WWII Kluson Manufacturing
Company of Chicago, Illinois became the sole provider of tuning
equipment.

The bass on the right has the Czech tuners and is quite likely a
Concert Orchestra model Kay. The bass on the left appears to be a
little different than the bass on the right (look at tuners
and the edges of the bass), but it still shaped as a Concert bass.

*not having access to the actual bass to
formerly verify the make and model by the ID label inside we've
scrutinized as many photos as possible of the profile, shape, tuners and
tailpiece to unofficially identify it as a Kay Concert